Chatham Islands Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Chatham Islands Council governs New Zealand's most remote inhabited territory, located approximately 800km east of the South Island. The Chatham Islands comprise two main islands — Chatham Island (Rekohu) and Pitt Island (Rangiauria) — with a permanent population of approximately 600 people.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
Contact Chatham Islands Council directly to order a LIM. Standard processing takes 15 working days.
LIM information on the Chatham Islands is more limited than mainland New Zealand due to the small scale of the council and fewer formal planning instruments. Building consent records, land status, and known hazards are covered.
Given the unique nature of Chatham Islands property, specialist legal and practical advice is essential before purchasing. Land tenure on the islands includes both freehold and Maori land, and some restrictions apply.
District Plan Zones
The Chatham Islands have a resource management document rather than a traditional district plan:
- Settlement Zone: The main settlement areas of Waitangi and Te One
- Rural Zone: Farming and pastoral land
- Conservation Zone: Conservation and reserve areas
Planning controls are relatively minimal given the small population and limited development pressure. The focus is on sustainable management of the islands' unique environment.
Natural Hazards
The Chatham Islands face unique hazards due to their remote oceanic location:
- Coastal hazards: As a remote island group, coastal erosion and storm surge from the open Pacific Ocean are significant hazards.
- Tsunami: The islands are exposed to Pacific-wide tsunami risk with limited warning time and elevation.
- Severe weather: Extreme oceanic weather, including cyclonic storms and persistent strong winds, affects all properties.
- Earthquakes: Moderate seismic risk from offshore faults.
- Isolation: In any emergency, help is hours away by air, and weather can prevent access for days.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by the Chatham Islands Council. Processing times may be longer than mainland New Zealand due to the small council size.
Building on the Chatham Islands requires materials and design suited to extreme oceanic conditions — constant wind, salt spray, and isolation from supply chains. All building materials must be shipped to the islands, adding significant cost. Trades and professional services are limited, with many projects requiring mainland contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone buy property on the Chatham Islands?
Property on the Chatham Islands is technically available for purchase, but transactions are very rare. Some land is Maori freehold and subject to Te Ture Whenua Maori Act restrictions. The small community means most sales are by word of mouth. Due to the extreme isolation, limited services, and unique lifestyle, buying property here requires serious commitment and local knowledge. Legal advice from someone familiar with Chatham Islands land tenure is essential.
What is daily life like on the Chatham Islands?
Life on the Chatham Islands is genuinely remote — the islands have limited electricity (partly diesel-generated), no reticulated water or sewerage, limited internet and mobile coverage, and flights/shipping that can be weather-dependent. There is a small school, a basic health clinic, and a general store. The community is close-knit and self-reliant. It is not a place for those seeking convenience.
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